Viral hepatitis are considered an important public health problem, both in Brazil and in the world. They are caused by multiple etiologic agents and differ as its epidemiological evolution. In our country, there are still areas of high endemicity of hepatitis B (HBV), despite there is effective treatment and immunization. Thus, with the purpose of contributing with the regional policies of HBV control, an observational ecological study was carried out to assess the indicators of incidence and mortality from hepatitis B in Brazil, Santa Catarina and Florianópolis, between the years of 2001 and 2009, using the Information Systems in Health (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação, Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidades) and Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. The incidence of hepatitis B in Brazil ranged from 5.03 to 11.48 per 100,000 inhabitants. In Santa Catarina and Florianópolis the highest incidence was between the ages of 20 and 39, and higher proportion of deaths occurred in patients over 65. This study allowed regional and national comparisons, and enables the assessment and planning actions to control this disease.
incidence; mortality; hepatitis B